Abstract
NERVE membranes stained with various fluorescent dyes show changes in fluorescence intensity concomitant with changes in transmembrane potential1–4. Cohen et al.4 described a number of dyes that exhibit changes in fluorescence emission which vary linearly with transmembrane potential. Two of these have been used to investigate the excitation–contraction process in skeletal muscle5–7. Whole muscles and single fibres stained with Nile Blue A were reported to give fluorescence intensity changes on stimulation arising from the membranes of the sarcoplasmic reticulum5,6. Muscles and fibres stained with Merocyanine 540 on the other hand, give very early changes in fluorescence intensity when stimulated electrically6,7. Landowne7 proposed that since the merocyanine signal disappeared after detubulation in snake costocutaneous muscles, the fluorescence change must arise from the T-system membranes.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on SpringerLink
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Tasaki, I., Carnay, L., and Watanabe, A., Proc. natn. Acad. Sci. U.S.A., 64, 1362–1368 (1969).
Davila, H. V., Salzberg, B. M., Cohen, L. B., and Waggoner, A. S., Nature, 241, 159–160 (1973).
Salzberg, B. M., Davila, H. V., and Cohen, L. B., Nature, 246, 508–509 (1973).
Cohen, B. L., et al., J. Membr. Biol., 19, 1–36 (1974).
Bezanilla, F., and Horowicz, P., J. Physiol. Lond., 246, 709–735 (1975).
Oetliker, H., Baylor, S. M., and Chandler, W. K., Nature, 257, 693–696 (1975).
Landowne, D., J. gen. Physiol., 64, 5a (1974).
Hodgkin, A. L., and Horowicz, P., J. Physiol., Lond., 148, 127–160 (1959).
Adrian, R. H., and Peachey, L. D., J. Physiol. Lond., 235, 103–131 (1973).
Eisenberg, R. S., Howell, J. N., and Vaughan, P. C., J. Physiol., Lond., 215, 95–102 (1971).
Adrian, R. H., and Freygang, W. H., J. Physiol., Lond., 163, 61–103 (1962).
Gage, P. W., and Eisenberg, R. S., J. gen. Physiol., 53, 265–277 (1969).
Dulhunty, A. F., and Gage, P. W., J. Physiol. Lond., 234, 373–408 (1973).
Hodgkin, A. L., and Nakajima, S., J. Physiol., Lond., 221, 121–136 (1972).
Venosa, R. A., and Horowicz, P., J. Membr. Biol., 14, 33–56 (1973).
Gage, P. W., and Eisenberg, R. S., Science, 158, 1702–1703 (1967).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
VERGARA, J., BEZANILLA, F. Fluorescence changes during electrical activity in frog muscle stained with merocyanine. Nature 259, 684–686 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1038/259684a0
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/259684a0
This article is cited by
-
Optical Imaging and Functional Characterization of the Transverse Tubular System of Mammalian Muscle Fibers using the Potentiometric Indicator di-8-ANEPPS
Journal of Membrane Biology (2005)
-
Optical evidence for a chloride conductance in the T-system of frog skeletal muscle
Pfl�gers Archiv European Journal of Physiology (1990)
-
The mechanism of voltage-sensitive dye responses on sarcoplasmic reticulum
The Journal of Membrane Biology (1981)
-
Local anaesthetics inhibit tension development and Nile blue fluorescence signals in frog muscle fibres
Nature (1979)
-
Electrostatic interaction between merocyanine 540 and liposomal and mitochondrial membranes
The Journal of Membrane Biology (1979)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.